Syringe assembly with inverse delivery

• US 9,352,096 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2010
• Issued: 05/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Becton Dickinson France (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Becton Dickinson France (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Felsovalyi, Flora, Schiller, Eric, Quinn, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, SHEFALI DILIP
• Application Number:
  US12/859,569
• Publication Number:
  US 20110046604A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,112 Days
• Field of Search: 604/506, 604/181, 604/187, 604/218, 604/227, 604/228, 604/231
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3121 via the proximal end of a syringe, i.e. syringe end opposite to needle cannula mounting end
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3123 having air entrapping or venting means, e.g. purging channels in pistons
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3139 Finger grips not integrally formed with the syringe barrel, e.g. using adapter with finger grips
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/31516 reducing dead-space in the syringe barrel after delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/31518 designed to reduce the overall size of an injection device, e.g. using flexible or pivotally connected chain-like rod members
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/19 having more than one chamber , e.g. including a manifold coupling two parallelly aligned syringes through separate channels to a common discharge assembly surgical glue applicators A61B17/00491
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3134 characterised by constructional features of the distal end, i.e. end closest to the tip of the needle cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3135 characterised by constructional features of the proximal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3137 Specially designed finger grip means, e.g. for easy manipulation of the syringe rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3148 Means for causing or aiding aspiration or plunger retraction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31511 Piston or piston-rod constructions, e.g. connection of piston with piston-rod A61M5/5066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31515 Connection of piston with piston rod

Abstract

A reduced profile syringe assembly is provided that includes an overall profile that is substantially similar to a profile of a syringe barrel. The syringe assembly includes a plunger rod that is significantly disposed within the syringe barrel when filled for use, with the plunger rod adapted to be retracted from the syringe barrel during dispensing of contents of the syringe barrel.

Claims

1. A syringe assembly having a reduced profile prior to use, comprising:

a syringe barrel having an inside surface defining a chamber, an open proximal end, and a distal end having an opening therethrough;

a plunger assembly disposed at least partially within the syringe barrel, the plunger assembly comprising an elongate plunger rod, a plunger head disposed on the plunger rod and slidably disposed within the syringe barrel, the plunger head separating the chamber of the syringe barrel into a proximal chamber adjacent the proximal end, the proximal chamber having a distal end defined by the plunger head and a proximal end defined by a slanted surface, which is slanted relative to a latitudinal axis of the syringe barrel, and a distal chamber adjacent the distal end of the syringe barrel, and an actuator portion at least partially extending externally outside of the syringe barrel and adapted to effect a movement of the plunger head within the syringe barrel; and

a conduit extending between the proximal chamber and the opening at the distal end of the syringe barrel,

wherein the syringe barrel is adapted to contain a fluid in the proximal chamber,

wherein the fluid contained within the proximal chamber is adapted to be expelled through the conduit and out of the opening at the distal end of the syringe barrel upon the movement of the plunger head toward the proximal end of the syringe barrel, and

wherein the movement of the plunger head toward the proximal end of the syringe barrel occurs through a movement of the actuator portion toward the proximal end of the syringe barrel, wherein the movement of the actuator portion toward the proximal end of the syringe barrel is based on a conventional operation of expelling a fluid from a conventional syringe with a squeezing movement between a thumb and a forefinger.

2. The syringe assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator portion is interconnected with the plunger head.

3. The syringe assembly of claim 2, wherein the actuator portion is interconnected with the plunger head through an opening in a sidewall of the syringe barrel.

4. The syringe assembly of claim 2, wherein the actuator portion is interconnected with the plunger head through the open proximal end of the syringe barrel.

5. The syringe assembly of claim 4, wherein the plunger assembly further comprises an external arm extending from the actuator portion externally along the syringe barrel.

6. The syringe assembly of claim 5, wherein the plunger rod comprises an elongate portion which is interconnected with the external arm.

7. The syringe assembly of claim 6, further comprising a connecting arm extending between the external arm and the elongate portion of the plunger rod.

8. The syringe assembly of claim 4, wherein the plunger assembly further comprises an external arm extending externally along the syringe barrel between the actuator portion and a connector arm, wherein the connector arm extends between the external arm and an elongate portion of the plunger rod, and wherein the elongate portion extends between the connector arm and the plunger head.

9. The syringe assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator portion comprises a perimetrical flange collar comprising at least one flange.

10. The syringe assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator portion comprises at least two flanges each configured to receive the forefinger of a user of the syringe assembly.

11. The syringe assembly of claim 1, further comprising a closure adapted to close the open proximal end of the syringe barrel.

12. The syringe assembly of claim 11, wherein the closure comprises an elongated neck portion configured to fit against the inside surface of the syringe barrel with an interference fit.

13. The syringe assembly of claim 11, wherein the closure comprises a finger pad portion comprising a tactile surface disposed on an external surface thereof.

14. The syringe assembly of claim 13, wherein the finger pad portion extends externally of the syringe barrel in a radial direction.

15. The syringe assembly of claim 1, wherein the conduit extends across the plunger head between the proximal chamber and the opening at the distal end of the syringe barrel.

16. The syringe assembly of claim 15, wherein the conduit comprises a first end, a second end, and a fluid channel extending between the first end and the second end.

17. The syringe assembly of claim 16, wherein the first end of the conduit is positioned within the opening in the distal end of the syringe barrel.

18. The syringe assembly of claim 16, wherein the second end of the conduit extends within the proximal chamber.

19. The syringe assembly of claim 18, wherein the slanted surface disposed at the proximal end of the proximal chamber defines a recess, and wherein the second end of the conduit is positioned in the recess.

20. The syringe assembly of claim 15, wherein the conduit comprises a tubing having a first end positioned adjacent the opening at the distal end of the syringe barrel and a second end fixed with respect to the plunger head.

21. The syringe assembly of claim 20, wherein the second end of the tubing is directly adjacent a proximal end of the plunger head.

22. The syringe assembly of claim 20, wherein the tubing is a flexible tubing contained in the distal chamber and adapted to expand upon the movement of the plunger head.

23. The syringe assembly of claim 20, wherein the tubing is in a form of a wound coil contained in the distal chamber and adapted to extend upon the movement of the plunger head.

24. The syringe assembly of claim 15, wherein the conduit is radially centered with respect to a general elongated axis of the syringe barrel.

25. The syringe assembly of claim 1, wherein a proximal end of the plunger head has a slanted profile, which is slanted relative to the latitudinal axis of the syringe barrel, and is adapted for cooperating engagement with the slanted surface defining the proximal end of the proximal chamber.

26. The syringe assembly of claim 1, wherein the slanted surface at the proximal end of the proximal chamber defines a recess and an inlet into the conduit is positioned in the recess.

27. The syringe assembly of claim 1, wherein the slanted surface is disposed on a closure adapted to close the open proximal end of the syringe barrel.

28. The syringe assembly of claim 1, further comprising an opening through a wall of the syringe barrel extending into the distal chamber adapted to provide air flow into the distal chamber upon the movement of the plunger head toward the proximal end of the syringe barrel.

29. The syringe assembly of claim 1, further comprising a barrier adapted to encompass a portion of the plunger rod which extends externally of the syringe barrel upon the movement of the plunger head toward the proximal end of the syringe barrel.

30. The syringe assembly of claim 29, wherein the barrier is an expandable bellows.

31. The syringe assembly of claim 1, wherein an external surface of the syringe barrel comprises notches or protrusions at predetermined increments adapted to interact with a corresponding flap extending from an interior perimeter of the actuator portion to provide an indication of the movement of the plunger head within the syringe barrel.

32. A syringe assembly having a reduced profile prior to use, comprising:

a syringe barrel having an inside surface defining a chamber, a proximal end, and a distal end having an opening therethrough;

a plunger assembly comprising a plunger head slidably disposed within the syringe barrel, the plunger head separating the chamber of the syringe barrel into a proximal chamber adjacent the proximal end, the proximal chamber having a distal end defined by the plunger head and a proximal end defined by a slanted surface, which is slanted relative to a latitudinal axis of the syringe barrel, and a distal chamber adjacent the distal end of the syringe barrel;

a thumb pad portion adjacent the proximal end of the syringe barrel for accommodating a thumb of a user; and

at least one finger flange extending externally of the syringe barrel for accommodating at least one forefinger of the user, the at least one finger flange adapted to effect a movement of the plunger head within the syringe barrel,

wherein a squeezing movement between the user'"'"'s thumb on the thumb pad portion and the user'"'"'s at least one forefinger on the at least one finger flange effects a movement of the at least one finger flange and the movement of the plunger head toward the proximal end of the syringe barrel.

33. A pre-filled syringe assembly having a reduced profile prior to use, comprising:

a syringe barrel having an inside surface defining a chamber, a proximal end, and a distal end having an opening therethrough;

a plunger assembly comprising an elongate plunger rod substantially disposed within the syringe barrel and a plunger head disposed on the plunger rod and slidably disposed within the syringe barrel, the plunger head separating the chamber of the syringe barrel into a proximal chamber adjacent the proximal end and a distal chamber adjacent the distal end, the proximal chamber having a distal end defined by the plunger head and a proximal end defined by a slanted surface, which is slanted relative to a latitudinal axis of the syringe barrel; and

a conduit extending across the plunger head between the proximal chamber and the opening at the distal end of the syringe barrel,

wherein a fluid is contained in the proximal chamber, and wherein the fluid contained within the proximal chamber is adapted to be expelled through the conduit and out of the opening at the distal end of the syringe barrel upon a movement of the plunger head toward the proximal end of the syringe barrel.

34. The pre-filled syringe assembly in claim 33, wherein the plunger assembly further comprises an actuator portion which at least partially extends externally outside of the syringe barrel.

35. The pre-filled syringe assembly in claim 34, wherein the actuator portion is interconnected with the plunger head.

36. A method of delivering a fluid, comprising:

providing a syringe assembly having a reduced profile prior to use comprising;

a syringe barrel having an inside surface defining a chamber, a proximal end, and a distal end having an opening therethrough;

a plunger assembly comprising an elongate plunger rod and a plunger head disposed on the plunger rod and slidably disposed within the syringe barrel, the plunger head separating the chamber of the syringe barrel into a proximal chamber adjacent the proximal end and a distal chamber adjacent the distal end, wherein the fluid is contained in the proximal chamber, and wherein the proximal chamber has a distal end defined by the plunger head and a proximal end defined by a slanted surface, which is slanted relative to a latitudinal axis of the syringe barrel, the plunger assembly further comprising an actuator portion at least partially extending externally outside of the syringe barrel; and

a conduit extending between the proximal chamber and the opening at the distal end of the syringe barrel;

positioning a thumb on the syringe assembly at a position proximate to the proximal end of the syringe barrel, and at least one forefinger on the actuator portion; and

applying a squeezing motion to move the at least one forefinger and the thumb toward each other, thereby moving the actuator portion toward the proximal end of the syringe barrel and effecting a movement of the plunger head toward the proximal end of the syringe barrel to expel the fluid contained in the proximal chamber through the conduit and out of the syringe barrel through the opening in the distal end.